You spent how much? On What?

Can I just tell you about the first online course I signed up for?  I felt batshit crazy, but I spent $550 to learn how to write and publish my book. I enrolled in Author School: Pen To Published. I couldn’t fathom spending that all at once, so I broke it out in the payment plan option, but here’s what happened.  It started a chain reaction, once I did that one, I was led to another and then another.  Now, I’m hooked. It’s my favorite way to learn.

Now, it’s no secret that I love books.  I love to read them, I love to talk about them. I start book clubs, I belong to more than one at a time.  Now, thanks to that very first online course, I can actually say I write books, too.  Like for real, I love words, learning on my own and the ability to decide how quickly I consume new information.  Binge the whole book in a single sitting? Sure, I’ve done that.  Take weeks upon weeks to get through a tough read on an important topic?  Yup, been there, too.

Here’s what I have learned about online courses, though. It’s like sitting down to have a conversation with the person who wrote the book on this new topic.  I can listen to a first hand experience of someone who has done what I want to know how to do.  Only, it’s the shorthand version. It’s the cliff notes of their collective knowledge, experience and advice.  They always share what they wish they had known when they first started.  

Online courses are all so different.  Sometimes, it’s just audio, but most of the time they include videos.  Sometimes, they are scheduled live trainings. There are usually actions suggested in the way of homework or next steps.  They require you do DO something with what you’ve just learned.  It’s the next best thing to hiring a coach to walk you through it one on one.  Online courses are designed to get you to invest in yourself because here’s the deal.  As soon as you say, “okay I’m going to pay this money to learn how to do this new thing", you are holding yourself accountable.  This goal of yours becomes real and then you have less standing in your way. 

Do you know how many people spend money on courses and never finish them?  I find there are two reasons for this. One, some people get scared and listen to their limiting beliefs more than their desire, but more times than not, it wasn’t what was contained in the course that you need. It was the belief in yourself.  The idea that you can take a step forward and take action toward your new goal is all some of us need to move the needle forward. Sometimes, just buying the course is all you need to to nudge you into doing the damn thing.

Dean. Graziosi says that only 9% of people finish online courses.  Personally, I take that as a personal challenge. I have finished every one I’ve ever purchased.  I have two I am currently making my way though, but mark my words, I will complete them both.  And then I’ll buy another.

So the question is, what is your next online course? Perhaps, you are being called to one of mine like Chaos To Calm.